Leveling mechanism



I July 2, 1929. L. w, LQWTHER 1,719,435

LEVELING MECHANI SM Filed Jan. 11, 1928 INVENTOR Leonard WLowlher,

/ I I I ATTORNEY.

Patented July 2, 1929.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD W. LOWTI-IER, OF AUDUBON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HORN & HABDART BAKING CO., OF PHILADELEHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

rlnvntnve MECHANISM.

Application filed January 11, 1928. Serial No. 245,936.

This invention relates to leveling mecha nism and is adapted to be applied to tables and kindred objects.

Even in the most carefully finished floors, it will. be found that upon setting a table thereon that thelegs do not all rest firmly upon the floor and even if they should so rest in one position when the table is moved it will usually be found that considerable unevenness or tilting results. This is particularly true in restaurants, dining rooms and places where a large number of tables are used, and this invention is designed to eliminate this objectionable tilting of the tables.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved leveling mechanism which may be conveniently secured in the bottom of the table leg and which is capable of being operated by the foot.

Another object of theinvcntion is to provide a leveling mechanism so constructed that it may be practically concealed from View.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a leveler which has few and simple parts and which may be economically manufactured and installed.

According to the invention the leveling mechanism comprises a body which slidably supports a plunger on thebottom of which a button which rests 011 the floor, the button is urged downward by a spring; a trigger tiltably mounted embraces the plunger and is held in binding relation therewith by means of another spring.

The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of a table leg showing the improved leveler mounted therein,

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the levcler,

Figure 3 is a front View of the same, and

Figure 4 is a plan view.

Figure 1 shows a portion of a conventional table leg 6 in which the levelerhasbeenmounted for the purpose of illustration although it will be understood that the leveler may be mounted in any particular type of table or chair leg, the body 7 being cast to conform with the particular style to which it is to be applied.

In the particular instance shown, the body has a top wall 8 which has a vertical wall 9 through the same and in which a plunger 11 is adapted to slide. The plunger is provided. on its bottom end with a support but ton 12 and between this button and the inner face of the top wall 8, a spiral spring 13 embraces said plunger. The wall 9 is counter-bored at 1 1 for the purpose of receiving a spiral spring 16 whose upper end bears against a trigger 17 which is passed onto the plunger through a hole 18 and prevented from leaving the same by a cotter pin 19. This trigger is tiltably mounted in a hole 12 in a lug 22 extending upward from the rear end of the top wall 8. The body may be movided with threaded holes 23 for securing it in place in the table leg.

The operation or setting of the leveler can.

be readily understood by reference to Figure 2. Considering that one of the levelers is placed in two of the four legs of a table and the table set on the floor ready to be leveled, the spiral spring 13 will have forced the button to its lowermost position such as shown in Figure 2 when the table was raised from the floor, and by placing pressure upon the outer end of the trigger, the weight of the table will compress the spring 13 and the button 12 will rise until it no longer has additional weight to support whereupon the trigger may be released and the spring 16 will tilt the trigger upward so that the material around the outer edge of the hole 18 will bind against the plunger 11 and prevent any further compression of the spring 13. The leveler is shown in a set position in Figure 1.

When the table is again lifted to a different location, the spiral spring 13 willagain force the plunger 11 outward, andthe table may again be leveled by actuating the trigger 17 to again set or level the table in its new location.

Of course, the table leveler illustrated is capable of wide application, such as for use on objects other than tables, and the specific embodiment illustrated may be modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein set forth and hereafter claimed.

I claim I 1. Leveling mechanism comprising a body, a plunger slidably mounted therein, means urging said plunger downward, a trigger hinged to said body and surrounding said plunger, and spring means for urging said trigger into frictional engagement with said plunger to prevent the upward movement of said plunger.

2. Leveling mechanism comprising a body, a plunger slidably mounted therein, means urging said plunger downward, a trigger surrounding said plunger, and a spring between said body and said trigger for urging said trigger into frictional engagement with said plunger to prevent theupward movement. of said plunger.

3. Leveling mechanism comprising a body,

a plunger slidably mounted therein, means urging said plunger downward, a trigger hinged at one end to said body and surround- 7 ing said plunger, and means between said i'or urging said trigger into frictional engagement with said plunger to prevent the upward movement of said plunger.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 30 name to this specification.

LEONARD V. LOlVTHER. 

